Flexible hard surfaced floor covering



Sept. 22, 1931. J. Ewe

. FLEXIBLE HARD SURFACED FLOOR COVERING Filed May 7. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet1 R O N E v m atented Sept. 22, i3l

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN ELIIG, OF LANCASTER, IPENNSYLVANLA,ASSIGNOB 1'0 ARMSTRONG CORK COM PANY, F LANOASTERfPENNSYLVANIA, ACORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA 'ILEXIBLE HARD SURFACED FLOO B covanm'eApplication filed Kay 7,

This invention relates to the manufacture of flexible hard surfacedfloor coverings such as linoleum and a method and apparatus for theproduction thereof. It has heretofore been proposed to make surfacecoverings such and then apply still further design elements whichoverlie those on the backing. In this way many new and desirable efiectsmay be obtained; The material has characteristics not found in surfacecoverings of the types now made.

My method may be readily carried out in a machine of the rotarytype. Itis, however, necessary to modify the machine to the extent ofpositioning the die roll which applies the overlying design elements sothat it is spaced in more than the ordinary amount from the backing.This is necessary in order that it will apply the design elements withthe proper degree'of pressure to the pattern elements previouslyapplied.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the present preferredembodiment of the invention,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a rotary machine,

Figure 2 is a view to an enlarged scale showing a portion of a drum ofthe machine and two of the die rolls thereof,

Figure 3 is a top'plan view of one type of my improved product,

Figure 4 is a erspective view of a portion" of such materia and Figure 5is a similar View showing anothe type of my improved material.

The machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a drum2 having die rolls 3and 3a arranged around its periphery. Each die roll is supplied with aweb 4 of linoleum mix 1829. Serial No. 881,076.;

formed by cylinders and carried to the die it I rolls by belts 6. Aplaten roll 7 cooperates with each die roll and the surfaces of the dierolls are provided with knives in the usual manner to cut the webs oflinoleum mix into pattern elements and scrap. The scrap is ejected bypin rolls 8 and brushes 8a as is well known, the scrap being carriedaway by conveyors 9.

A web 10 of backing material such as coated burlap is supplied to themachine and is carried around the drum 2. Each die roll is proe videdwith a pattern roll 11 adapted to actu-' ate the strippers 12 which havenot been reviously actuated by the pin rolls 8 and t us apply thepattern elements P forming the general body of the pattern to thebacking 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the pattern elements P are spaced apartso as to expose a part of the coat backing 10, thus producing the effectof tiles with depressed interliners.

The overlying pattern elements are applied by the die roll 3a. As shownin Fig. 2, the die roll 3a is spaced further from the drum 2 than arethe other die rolls, this being nieces-1; sary. because the designelements which are applied by {the die roll 3a are not applied to thebacking 10 but to the pattern elements P. The pattern elements which areapplied by the die roll 3a are indicated at P in Fig. 2.

After the various pattern elements have been applied, the materialpasses over an in spection table 13, and thence to a calender 14 havinga blanket 15 backed by pressure rolls 16. The blanket securely bonds thedifi'erent pattern elements to the backing and to one another, and ifsuflicient pressure is applied rounds off the edges as shown in Fig. 4.Care must be taken so as to avoid any distortion of the pattern elementsP. I prefer to make these pattern elements of relatively thin materialso as to avoid distortion as far as possible.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a linoleum wherein the pattern elements P arespaced apart so as to form a tile pattern with the backing showingbetween pattern elements. It will be noted that at intervals a speciallycolored pattern element P" is applied. This lends a single die roll canapply but one color the e special pattern elements P" are applied byhand as the material passes over the inspection table 13.

Fi re 5 illustrates another type of materia wherein the backing 10a isentirely concealed by pattern elements 17, which in this case are shownas made up into a conventional pattern of squares alternating in color.Special pattern elements 18 are applied. These may be ut on by a dieroll or may be applied by han as desired. After calendering they arefirmly keyed to the goods and provide a new and highly desirable effect.

I have illustrated and described a present preferred embodiment of theinvention. It will be understood, however, that it is not limited to theform shown, but may be otherwise embodied or practiced within the scopeof the following claims:

I claim:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a flexible hard surfaced floorcovering comprising a backing having pattern elements thereon, therebeing design elements overlying the pattern elements.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a flexible hard surfaced floorcovering comprising a backing having pattern elements of linoleum mixthereon and design elements of linoleum mix overlying at least some ofthe pat tern elements.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a flexible hard surfaced floorcovering comprising a backing having pattern elements applie thereto insuch manner as to leave portions of the backing exposed and designelements overlying at least some of the pattern elements.

4. As a new article of manufacture, a flexible hard surfaced floorcovering comprisin a backing having pattern elements applied thereto insuch manner as'to leave portions of the backing exposed and designelements overlying at least some of the pattern elements, the designelements u standing from the pattern elements and t e ments upstandingfrom the base.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN EMIG.

pattern ele-

